Documente Academic
Documente Profesional
Documente Cultură
GUIDE
1
PROGRAM
Contents
Ten Introduction Statements Ten Unique Qualities of Your Pastor Ten Values of Pastor Appreciation Ten Facts to Remember in the Planning Process Ten Advertising Avenues Ten Points to Include in the Preparation Checklist Ten Steps in Outlining the Sunday Morning Service Love Pledge By the Congregation to the Pastor Ten Follow-up Ideas Responsive Reading Ten Pastor Appreciation Activities Ten Supportive Resources
1. Love-focused theme. The theme for this years Pastor Appreciation is Honoring the Pastor with Overwhelming Love. This theme was selected because it is the foundation of Christianity For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son (John 3:16). This is overwhelming love! 2. Application of theme. The pastor serves under Gods authority and is commissioned to share His love in Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, his ministry is characterized by overwhelming love. 3. Marks of overwhelming love. The Holy Trinity sets forth the pattern for overwhelming loveGod gave, Christ suffered, and the Holy Spirit enables. They set the standard for individuals called to fill the role of pastor, shepherd, and leader. 3
4. Posture of the pastor. The pastor ministers under the standard introduced by the Trinity: accepts the call to give his life for ministry, manifests a willing spirit to suffer, and depends on the Holy Spirit for enablement to serve with overwhelming love. 5. Purpose of Pastor Appreciation. The goal of pastor Appreciation is to focus on the unselfish ministry of the pastor and to show how the congregation can partner with him in ministry. 6. Great opportunity. Pastor Appreciation offers an excellent opportunity for the congregation to come together to show respect, create unity, and to convey to the community overwhelming love for their pastor. 7. Positive approach. In order to maximize the opportunities of an unforgettable Pastor Appreciation emphasis, a positive approach must be taken. This includes detailed planning, enthusiastic promotion, and the involvement of all the people of the church in expressing overwhelming love. 8. Available resources. This Planning Guide contains enough ideas and suggestions to develop an impressive Pastor Appreciation event. There are other resources we have created to assist you. Check the extensive list on the Ordering Form. 9. Build churchwide enthusiasm. Pastor Appreciation can be one of the most influential events of the year. It can impact each member of the church family and create unity, loyalty, and visionary involvement in conveying overwhelming love. 10. Planned prayer for impact. Prayer is an essential part of the planning and promotion. Pastor Appreciation is a spiritual event, it honors the pastor but it also focuses on the health of the church and in bringing church members together to partner with the pastor in being part of a church where the gates of hell cannot prevail against it. It is vital to involve the entire church in prayer that creates overwhelming love.
10. He has a worldview of sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ and sponsors strategies including intercessory prayer, financial support, and mission trips.
The approach to advertising depends on the size of the church, the location, and available media outlets. However the key principle is to thinkto think big, to think about possibilities, about opportunities, and to think creatively. Ten advertising avenues are listed to think on, and to consider. 1. Church bulletin. Begin promotion early and list events and involvement opportunities. An attractive colorful bulletin insert has been designed and can be ordered along with other support materials. 2. Church webpage. List all of he events on the webpage along with testimonies of expectation from selected church members. 3. E-mail message. Send regular messages about the reasons for, the rewards of, and the stirring results of pastor appreciation. 4. Direct mail. Plan to send at least one announcement of the activities of Pastor Appreciation by mail. Direct mail helps create awareness, excitement, and great expectations. 5. Sign on church lawn. A large informative sign on the church lawn attracts attention, reminds church members, and informs the community. 6. Bulletin board. Utilize the church bulletin board to keep church attendees informed. Begin early and change the message every Sunday. 7. Classroom posters. Display posters in hallways and classrooms. Ask children and youth to design their own posters. This will add wow and a plus for promotion. 8. Pulpit announcements. For several Sundays before Pastor Appreciation have different members of the Planning Team share information about a particular aspect of what has been planned. 9. Tweeting and blogging. Get members involved in these two avenues of communicating about events and getting involved. 8
10. Radio and television. In some areas there is free advertising on both radio and television. Dont overlook the media possibilities. Also, brief radio/televisions announcements can be effective and cost allowable.
the pastor. In many other churches the special Pastor Appreciation envelope would have been distributed in advance and given in the offering on this Sunday. Special gifts to the pastor and his family will be presented following the offering. 8. Gifts/Responsive Reading. After the presentation gifts, the Responsive Reading will take place. 9. Ideally a lay-person should speak on loving, supporting, and standing with the pastor. Often two or three church members speak for five to seven minutes each. On some occasions a special guest speaker is invited. The speaker will conclude the sermon/talk with the following statement: Pastor, we will minister with you with overwhelming love by: Standing with you in prayer. Standing by you in fulfilling the Great Commission. Standing for you in the Quest for Trust. 10. Prayer. Following the sermon, the pastor and his family are asked to come forward. The pastors council or elders of the church will pray over them---for family happiness, physical health, unity in the church, and spiritual and numerical growth. The service will conclude with the following pledge:
Pastor we pledge: To surround you and your family with overwhelming love! To maintain a lifestyle as church members that demonstrate overwhelming love! To join you in fulfilling the ministries of the church with overwhelming love! To express the character of the church to the community/city by supporting social needs with overwhelming love! To continually come together in unity to worship with 11
overwhelming love! In agreement, we as a committed congregation will embrace this pledge with overwhelming love.
(This Responsive Reading is included on the back of the Pastor Appreciation bulletin. Please see the order form located in the guide.)
Leader: Our pastor has been called to lead us in understanding the magnitude and scope of Gods love in sending His Son, Jesus Christ, into the world as our Savior. People: We honor the calling of our pastor and will stand with him as a united church family with overwhelming love! Leader: Our pastor is committed to teaching us the principles of love in our daily walk with Christ. People: We respect the commitment of our pastor and will respond to his biblical teaching and will stand by him with overwhelming love. Leader: Our pastor ministers with loving compassion in developing us into fully devoted disciples of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. People: We will embrace the compassionate spirit of our pastor and will support him in the stewardship and outreach ministries of our church with overwhelming love! Leader: Our pastor shepherds us with holy convictions based on the foundation of his calling, commitment, compassion, and dedication to see us reflect the love of Christ in daily life. People: We will affirm the convictions of our pastor and will stand with him, for him, and by him in prevailing prayer, Great Commission obedience, and the Quest for Trust in the spiritual energy and gifts of overwhelming love. Amen. 13
14
Number 1
Pastor Appreciation Family Celebration Nights
This event usually takes place on Friday evening before Pastor Appreciation on Sunday morning. It is a gala function for the entire familycolorful decoration, an upbeat festive program, a display featuring the pastors achievements, and a variety of appreciation expressions. Some program ideas to consider are: r Fellowship. The event is for the entire family. Therefore the program should include expression opportunities for all ages. r Food. Some churches will plan for a complete meal. Others will serve light refreshments. The meal or refreshment should be simple and without charge if at all possible. r Program. The program should contain a variety of elementsskits, music, humor, readings, appreciation expressions, and special quests. r Gifts. Some churches will choose to present gifts to the pastor at this event rather than on Sunday morning. r Proclamation. The family event will conclude by reading the We Love You proclamation.
15
That we will serve with our pastor in Great Commission obedience with overwhelming LOVE. That we will practice total life stewardship with our pastor with overwhelming LOVE. That together we will model scriptural LOVE that will influence the unchurched and the character of our community. On the foundation of love and in the power of the Holy Spirit we set forth this proclamation. Amen!
r r r r
Sharing of both spiritual and humorous stories. Several prayers of appreciation and guidance. Presentation of a special gift. Reading the We Love You Pledge.
r r r r
Stories of support and service. Prayers for health and family happiness. Honor recognition and special gifts. Reading the We Love You Pledge.
r r r
Outline the program to be free flowing and fun. Provide opportunities for appreciation expressions. Read the We Love You Pledge.
r Tuesday Send flowers to the pastors wife. r Wednesday Prepare candy and other goodies for the pastors children. r Thursday Make arrangements for a fruit basket or a bag of specialty popcorn. r Friday Phone in an order for pizza and soft drinks to be delivered. r Saturday Throughout the day drop off cakes, cookies, and other treats at the pastors home. r Sunday Plan for a meal at the church or arrange for a meal at a local restaurant for the pastors family.
of pictures where the children walk across the front of the platform holding their pictures. Drawing pictures of the ministry of the pastor is a unique way to bring excitement and laughter to Pastor Appreciation.
21
Number 10 Honoring Our Pastor With Overwhelming Love 10-Day Prayer Emphasis
Ten days before Pastor Appreciation Sunday the entire church will unite in prayer for the pastor, his family, and the growth of the church. Each evening around the dinner table church families will pray for 22
the pastor and his family. This will create a churchwide spirit of togetherness and an overwhelming love for the pastor and each other. Three important areas to include in the prayer initiative: Pastor protection, preaching, and relationships. Family peace, contentment, and respect. Church passion, unity, and outreach. Constant prayer was offered to God for him [the pastor] by the church (Acts 12:5 NKJV).
10 Supportive Resources
1. 100 Ways to Show & Tell the Pastor You Love Him 2. Support Form Honoring Our Pastor With Overwhelming Love 3. Sermon Outline How to Love Your Pastor With Overwhelming Love 4. Bulletin Insert - Honoring My Pastor With Overwhelming Love 5. Our Pastor Has a Heart of Love 6. Expressing Love to Our Pastor 7. Supporting My Pastor With Overwhelming Love 8. The Power of Pastor Appreciation 9. The Value of Pastor Appreciation 10. Feedback Form Pastor Appreciation 23
Resources
100 Ways To Show & Tell the Pastor You Love Him
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. Let the pastor dream and be creative. Talk to him; build a relationship of teamwork and trust. Compliment him for timely and compassion-driven sermons. Invite the pastor and his wife to your home for a fellowship meal. Purchase him a new suite. Pray for the pastor and his family by name every day. Say to the pastor, Im with you, you can count on me! Give him scriptural submission according to Hebrews 13:17. Stick with him when you dont understand his reasoning and approach. Bake the pastor a cake. Volunteer to help him in a special project. Attend church regularly. Send the pastor a humorous cardbrighten his day. Look for ways to make the pastor look and feel good. Back him in bouncing the status quo. Defend the pastor against fault-finding. Buy his wife a new dress. Believe with him that God desires to do new things in the church. Show the community love in action by the way you provide for the pastor and support him. Order him a special book. Organize a Pastors Prayer Partners Ministry. Ask friends to attend church with you. Have confidence in the pastors motives and abilities. Send flowers to his home with a note of love and respect. Be available and willing to listen to his plans for change and growth. Write the pastor a letter and express love and appreciation for his integrity and leadership. Be a good follower. Sing Bind Us Together in Love with him. 24
29. Send him a fruit basket with a message of love from your family. 30. Help him create and champion visionary plans for church growth. 31. Say to him very often, Pastor, Im praying for you! 32. Give him a gift of a pair of shoes or a shirt and tie. 33. Reveal to him you are willing to submit to his leadership and to be teachable. 34. Dont criticize the pastor. 35. Let him make mistakes. 36. Be a good listener, let his sermons sink deep. 37. Make him a pan of fudge or candy. 38. Dont ever say, Weve never done it that way before. 39. Send the pastor to a special conference or seminar. 40. Make sure he has a day off each week. 41. Ask the pastor, How can I help you? 42. Encourage the pastors wife to be her own person. 43. Be consistent in your witness and work in the church. 44. Be a partner in keeping his freezer stocked with meat and vegetables. 45. Listen to him, let him share his story. 46. Clap for the pastor one Sunday morning as he enters the sanctuary or approaches the pulpit. 47. Pay your tithes consistently. 48. Give the pastor a cost-of-living increase in salary each year. 49. Take him on an outing with youfishing, golfing, hunting. 50. Agree with him for developing quality and excellence in ministry. 51. Buy into the pastors vision, accept ownership. 52. Compliment him for church progress. 53. Help form a Pastoral Concerns Team to provide for the needs of the pastor and his family. 54. Bake the pastor some cookies. 55. Trust the decisions of the pastor. 56. Encourage him with words and works. 57. Help send the pastor and his family on a once-in-a-lifetime vacation. 58. Stand up for his programs. 59. Be aggressive in forming a personal relationship with the pastor. 60. Give him tickets to a special activity. 25
61. Affirm the pastors commitment for change to increase worship involvement and outreach intensity. 62. Support the pastor with your time, talents, tithing, and treasures. 63. Call him on the telephone and convey love and respect for his ministry. 64. Invite him to lunch and let him relax with you. 65. Arrange for a fall or spring housecleaning team for the pastors home. 66. Increase his housing allowance. 67. Jump in and assist him on behind-the-scene projects. 68. Plan a churchwide surprise birthday party for him. 69. Stand by him when he is in the line of fire. 70. Help redecorate the pastors office. 71. Prepare a meal for the pastor and his family. 72. Provide him with retirement benefits and reputable counsel. 73. Plan a church appreciation banquet for the pastor. 74. Refrain from saying, That will cost too much! 75. Order a pizza and send it to his home. 76. Honor and respect the pastor. 77. Display a teachable spirit, let the pastor disciple you. 78. Introduce the pastor to a hobby. 79. Give him a love offering. 80. Embrace his focus on discipleship training. 81. Make sure he has adequate health-care coverage. 82. Volunteer to assist in special projects and activities. 83. Offer to assist him with personal thingserrands, auto & home repairs. 84. Understand the glass house syndrome, encourage the pastors children. 85. Feature a write-up in the local newspaper about the ministry of the pastor. 86. Participate in Pastor Appreciation activities. 87. Ask the mayor to proclaim a Pastor Appreciation Day in the city. 88. Recommend an increase in salary for him. 89. Present the pastor a plaque recognizing his achievements and honoring his commitment. 90. Support the pastor through action, affirmation, and accountability. 91. Give him a box of candy. 92. Hold up his hands as he leads the flock. 26
Contribute to purchasing new furniture for the parsonage. Listen to the pastors long-range goals and plans. Subscribe to a ministerial magazine for him. Assist in providing him with membership to a health club. Furnish him with fishing equipment and encourage him to get away from strain and stress. 98. Give the pastor an I love you give certificate for a meal or merchandise. 99. Remember the birthday of his wife and children. 100. Help the congregation establish privacy boundariessee that the pastor has time to be alone with God, time for his family and personal time.
Bulletin Insert
27
The love pattern of Onesiphorus can be very effective. Here are four things you can do. Refresh your pastor through words of appreciation, respect, and encouragement. Stand with your pastor during difficult times. Discover your pastors needs and help meet them. Word side by side with your pastor in ministry.
This Bulletin Insert is one of the Pastor Appreciation support items. Please see the Order Form at the end of this Planning Guide.
29
Your NURTURING spirit has guided us in demonstrating discipleship maturity. Your COMPASSION has inspired us to a deeper active concern for the unchurched. Your LOVING spirit has revealed the bonus benefits of belonging to a church family. Your PROTECTIVE watch-care has insulated us from the abusive tactics of Satan. We give thanks to God always for you . . . making mention of you in our prayers (1 Thessalonians 1:2).
31
Today I commit that the example I set will: Honor God Build the church Influence friends Strengthen my pastor
And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; But the greatest of these is love (1 Corinthians 13:13).
U Strengthens productive UNITY in mission of the church. E Creates God-honoring EXCITEMENT in performing Kingdom service. 32
33
r Material From This Manual Used (list) __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ r Materials Ordered From Mens Discipleship or Pathway Press (list) __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ r Share Creative Concepts You Developed __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ Name or identification of church is optional. __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ Mail to: LifeBuilders Mens Discipleship Church of God International Offices P.O. Box 2430 Cleveland, TN 37320-2430
34
35
And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love for their works sake. Be at peace among yourselves. 1 Thess. 5:12-13 NKJV
Positive Planning Checklist Ideas for special expressions Complete details for Pastor Appreciation Sunday Detailed Sunday morning sermon Plus lots more
For free downloads and to order materials visit www.coglifebuilders.com and Pathway Press at 1.800.553.8506 www.pathwaybookstore.com
36